Cognitive Disorders Conclusion

Rudolph C. Hatfield, PhD., edited by Kathryn Patricelli, MA

Dementia and other cognitive disorders have a significant impact financially, physically, and emotionally on families as well as on society. Financially, the global direct and indirect costs of dementia is estimated to be $605 billion. Dementia and related disorders place a huge strain on health care institutions. The cost is also great regarding the physical and emotional burden placed on families. Although dementia and other cognitive disorders are caused by physiological (brain) factors, it is helpful to think of them as conditions that also affect the psychological and social functioning of both the people affected and their caregivers.